Already approved for the treatment of clinical mastitis infections caused by a broad spectrum of pathogens, SPECTRAMAST LC now can help treat diagnosed subclinical mastitis infections before lactating cows exhibit physical symptoms of the disease.

Subclinical infections compromise milk quality, rob profits

Left untreated, subclinical mastitis infections can be extremely costly to a herd, in terms of:• Lost milk production throughout lactation1• Increased risk of clinical mastitis2-5• Lost milk-quality premiums• Increased treatment costs• Risk of mastitis recurrence • Cost of early culls from the herds1• Reduced reproductive efficiency2-5

New data compiled by Mark Kirkpatrick, DVM, MS, managing veterinarian, Dairy Technical Services, Zoetis, demonstrates the high cost of subclinical mastitis. Kirkpatrick examined 164,423 individual Holstein cow lactation records for the presence of high first-test somatic cell counts or recorded clinical mastitis cases in the first 60 days of lactation. These records, based on 22 herds in the western United States, revealed that cases of subclinical mastitis translated into:

• 1,583 pounds of lost milk production per cow through 210 days of lactation, for a cost of $285 in lost milk yield per cow (based on $18/cwt)6• 2.5 times greater likelihood that the infected animal would develop a case of clinical mastitis by 60 days in milk6• Three times greater likelihood that cows with subclinical mastitis infections would be culled in the first 60 days of lactation6• 17 additional days open (not pregnant)6

“Add to these factors the additional cost of milk production losses and treatment of cases that become clinical, and it is clear that subclinical infections are a silent but significant threat to a dairy’s profitability,” Kirkpatrick said.

Zoetis understands the changing needs of today’s dairy industry, and it is committed to providing flexible, comprehensive on-label solutions.

“This label extension is a continuation of Zoetis’ commitment to providing the industry with comprehensive mastitis management solutions,” Dr. Kirkpatrick said. “We’ll continue to invest in new, practical on-label solutions and support research that advances mastitis management protocols so veterinarians and producers can use them with confidence. This gives producers peace of mind, because they know they are making the best decision for their dairy.”

For more than 30 years, Zoetis has been delivering innovations to help producers and veterinarians manage mastitis and produce quality milk.

Early treatment with SPECTRAMAST LC pre-empts mastitis infections

Cows with a high somatic cell count — in excess of 200,000 cells/mL — may indicate a subclinical mastitis infection. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) and Streptococci are two major bacteria responsible for subclinical infections.7,8 SPECTRAMAST LC is approved for the treatment of diagnosed subclinical mastitis caused by both of these organisms. SPECTRAMAST LC also offers a convenient once-per-day dosing.

Treating mastitis cases at the subclinical level improves the likelihood that infections will resolve before they become clinical, thus minimizing milk production losses and quality premium reductions, Kirkpatrick said. SPECTRAMAST LC has a unique, flexible label that allows for treatment for two days, or up to eight days to achieve a full bacteriological cure.

In Zoetis field studies involving more than 700 cows, those with subclinical mastitis infections treated with SPECTRAMAST LC achieved bacteriological and clinical cure rates of 44%, compared with 4% for untreated controls.7 The results also showed reduced somatic cell counts at 15 days after treatment.

Developing treatment protocols for subclinical mastitis

Monitoring individual cow somatic cell counts through monthly Dairy Herd Improvement (DHI) testing is an important tool for tracking early lactation udder health. Kirkpatrick advises monitoring DHI or milk conductivity records to identify cows with somatic cell counts greater than 200,000 cells/mL. He also recommends using the California Mastitis Test (CMT) to evaluate the quarters of cows with high somatic cell counts and collecting milk samples from each infected quarter to help identify the mastitis-causing pathogen.

“Work with your herd veterinarian to establish on-label treatment protocols based on common pathogens on your dairy operation to provide the best chance for a complete bacteriological cure,” Kirkpatrick said.

SPECTRAMAST LC is the only mastitis treatment for lactating cows that is backed by the Residue Free Guarantee.TM If you use SPECTRAMAST LC according to its label indications and observe its milk and meat withdrawal times, Zoetis guarantees you will not experience a violative residue. Visit AvoidResidues.com for more information on the Residue Free Guarantee.

Learn more about SPECTRAMAST LC at DairyWellness.com or by contacting your veterinarian or Zoetis representative.

IMPORTANT DIAGNOSTIC INFORMATION: SPECTRAMAST LC is intended for use in lactating dairy cattle only with the specified, labeled pathogens. To assure responsible antimicrobial drug use, it is expected that subclinical mastitis will be diagnosed using a positive culture, or other pathogen-specific test, in addition to any other, appropriate veterinary medical evaluation prior to treatment.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR SPECTRAMAST LC: People with known hypersensitivity to penicillins or cephalosporins should avoid exposure to SPECTRAMAST LC. Product requires a 72-hour milk discard period and a 2-day preslaughter withdrawal period following the last treatment. Use of this product in a manner other than indicated on the label, or failure to adhere to proper milk discard period, will result in violative residues. See full Prescribing Information.

About Zoetis

Zoetis (zō-EH-tis) is the leading animal health company, dedicated to supporting its customers and their businesses. Building on more than 60 years of experience in animal health, Zoetis discovers, develops, manufactures and markets veterinary vaccines and medicines, complemented by diagnostic products and genetic tests and supported by a range of services. In 2014, the company generated annual revenue of $4.8 billion. With approximately 10,000 employees worldwide at the beginning of 2015, Zoetis serves veterinarians, livestock producers and people who raise and care for farm and companion animals with sales of its products in 120 countries. For more information, visit www.zoetisUS.com.

Residue Free Guarantee: If you use a Zoetis-branded ceftiofur product according to label indications, and experience a violative ceftiofur milk or meat residue, Zoetis will compensate you for the beef market value of the animal or purchase the tanker of milk at fair market value. You must purchase the product from a Zoetis-approved supplier, use the product according to label indications, have documentation of the product purchase and treatment records, and have conducted training on appropriate use to ensure proper dose and route of administration of the product. Extra-label use as prescribed by a veterinarian is excluded from the guarantee. If you experience a ceftiofur residue violation after following label indications and the above steps, contact Zoetis Veterinary Medical Information and Product Support (VMIPS) at 800-366-5288 to report the situation.

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